“Anxiety is the greatest evil that can befall a soul except sin. God commands you to pray, but He forbids you to worry.”
-St Francis de Sales
Sunday readings for August 30, 2026- Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
First Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 63:2-9
Second Reading: Romans 12:1-2
Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27
Announcements
Fr Akolla’s Birthday Celebration– August 30th
All are invited to join a birthday celebration for Father Akolla’s 40th birthday after the English Mass this Sunday, August 30th. If you’re able, please bring a dish for the potluck meal but if not, please join our community anyway as we wish him a happy birthday and enjoy the food and cake. The gathering will take place in the Teresa Hu cafeteria.
HR Carnival Update and request for donations/volunteers
Message from Principal Susan Chan-
Thank you again for all of your help in preparing for our upcoming School Carnival on Saturday, September 12, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm! We are getting closer to the big day, and I would like to ask for everyone’s help with two important areas: donations and volunteers.
We are looking for donations of gift cards, prizes, gift baskets, food, drinks, and other items that we can use for carnival games, raffles, and activities. Donations from local businesses, family members, friends, and community organizations would be greatly appreciated.
If you know of a business or organization that may be willing to donate, please reach out to them and let them know that the donation will support Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic School and our students. Please let me know about any businesses or individuals you contact so we can keep track of the donations and make sure everyone receives a proper thank-you.
We also need volunteers to help run the games and activities during the carnival. We will need people to staff the different game stations, help with prizes, assist with activities, and make sure everything runs smoothly throughout the afternoon.
If you are available to help, please let me know what you can donate. Any amount of items (food or prizes) you can give would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your continued support and for helping make our carnival a great celebration for our students and families!
Family Day
Our Mandarin Group is sponsoring a Family Day gathering on Labor Day, September 7, 11 AM-4 PM at Saint Timothy Church grounds at 3001 Levick St, Northeast Philadelphia. All are welcome! Please stop by if you can.
Community Event to support the Crane
Please consider purchasing tickets for the upcoming Philly Pops, “Hits from the Broadway Stage” at Crane Community Center as a way to support cultural programming at Crane.
This concert is an evening of music and represents something we have long worked toward: bringing high-quality cultural experiences to Chinatown and reenforcing Crane as a destination for arts, culture, and community gathering.
On September 27th, the Philly Pops will be performing in the heart of Chinatown at Crane. The Philly Pops is one of Philadelphia’s most recognized musical institutions.
This event is the result of an idea, passion, and hard work of many partners, including Artcinia, the Philly Pops, Haoyi Shang, Shuya Guan, and Virginia Lam of the Asian American Women’s Coalition, as well as the support of Artcinia’s grant funding.
Tickets can be purchased here using this LINK.
Holy Redeemer Sunday School for Students with Special Needs Registration
The Holy Redeemer CCD class for Students with Special Needs class begins on September 13, 2026 at 10 am -10:50 am in the 7th grade classroom in the Theresa Hu Center. We welcome students of all ages inside and outside our parish.
Registration forms are available at the back of the church. Completed forms may be emailed to Kurt Jung (email on the form) or return the hard copy to Kurt Jung, Fr. Tom, Fr. Jin, Principal Susan Chan, Vice Principal Linda Leung.
Current Sunday School Special Needs students do not need to register.
Magnificent Humanity
There are copies of Pope Leo’s new encyclical in the back of the church. They were purchased by a benefactor and if you would like to read the encyclical, please take a copy home with you.
OCIA classes
Holy Redeemer and Saint John’s will offer a program of formation and instruction for:
- People who are not now Catholic, but who are considering becoming Catholic through Baptism or Confirmation
- Catholic adults who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation
- Anyone who would like to learn about the Catholic faith
Classes will begin in mid-September and end at Easter. Classes are Monday nights by zoom with a recording available for those who miss the class.
If you would like to be added to the invitation list, please email Father Tom at pastor@stjohnsphilly.com or respond to this email.
Study of the Gospel of John
Professor Paul Danove, retired professor of Sacred Scripture at Villanova University, will offer an online zoom class on the Gospel of John beginning Wednesday, September 9 and continuing through December. Professor Danove has already presented classes on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Classes are free. Classes are one and a half hour each Wednesday, with recordings available if you miss the class. To be added to the online class list contact Father Tom at pastor@stjohnsphilly.com.
Pilgrimage to Italy
The brochure describing the Italy pilgrimage is ready and it is attached.
The trip will begin with a one way flight from Philadelphia to Venice on the evening of April 4. We anticipate that everyone will be accommodated on this flight.
The trip will end with a flight from Rome to Philadelphia on Thursday, April 15. However, only the first 23 travelers who register for the pilgrimage will get that flight. The rest of the travelers will travel through Chicago. There will be a layover.
The price is the same, but those who sign up first for the trip will have a one way flight from Rome to Philadelphia.
For the registration information, please click the following link-
Holy Redeemer Sunday School Registration
Registration has begun! We welcome children from Kindergarten through Grade 7, including First Holy Communion students.
Classes: Sundays, 12:20–1:20 PM, at Angelus House
First Class: September 13
Registration forms are available at the back of the church. Completed forms may be emailed to Mrs. Emily Man (email on the form) or return the hard copy to Fr. Tom, Fr. Jin, Principal Susan Chan, Vice Principal Linda Leung, or any Sunday School teacher.
Please do not return forms to Holy Redeemer weekday school teachers.
Current Sunday School students do not need to register again and will be automatically promoted to the next grade.
HR School Banquet- Save the Date
Please mark your calendar. The Holy Redeemer School banquet will be on Saturday October 10. There will be a Mandarin language banquet to support the school on Sunday, October 11.